Social Justice

The mission of the Social Justice Committee is to effectively address systemic causes and results of social injustice by involving current and prospective members and friends of First Unitarian Church in worthwhile efforts that align with our principles and church mission. The committee coordinates our social justice work and meets the 3rd Sunday of the month after the church service.

Co-Chairs:

Amanda Lynch, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 740.361.1475

Don Sherman, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.388.0023

Activities Overview:

Interfaith Hospitality Network

IHN is our largest volunteer project. Since 2006, we have housed homeless families at the church three to four weeks of each year. About 70 volunteers from First and other churches provide meals, a clean bed, fellowship, and safe harbor for homeless families.

South Avondale Tutoring

Volunteers from First Church are trained and serve as tutors for kindergartners, Tuesdays 1:00-2:00, Wednesdays and Thursdays 12:30-1:30 at South Avondale Elementary School.Contact: Liv Ramstad,email, phone 513.543.9012

Shiloh Food Pantry

Volunteers from First Church provide food donations, volunteer labor, and financial contributions to the Shiloh Food Pantry in Avondale.Contacts:Tom Rohrer,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.518.9213Joe Rohling, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.771-4586

LGBTQI Advocacy

The Unitarian Universalist Association recognizes First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati as a Welcoming Congregation. We welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Members and friends participate in the annual Cincinnati Pride Parade, and many members and friends advocate for gender equality.

Contact: Lois Gish, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.542.5587

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)

UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies.

Contacts: Heather Zoller, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 859.442.0011Chuck Schneider, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.761.9331

Immigration Justice

First Church has held immigration dialogues and has hosted immigrants at Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) services. Many members and friends advocate for comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform.Contact:Don Sherman,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.388.0023

Refugee Committee

The committee supports refugee families from the Sudan and from Kosovo.

Contact: Jan Smith, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.923.2137

Carbon Footprint/Environmental Committee

The committee is identifying ways all of us can respond to the challenges of climate change.Contact: TBD

Collaborations with Other Churches

The Unitarian Universalist Council of Greater Cincinnati and the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati focus on social justice issues such as homelessness and affordable housing, and police-community relations in greater Cincinnati. First Church contributes to the activities of both groups.Contact: Lee Meyer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.256.7577

The Faith Community Alliance of Greater Cincinnati

The Alliance provides a forum for the sharing of information and community action.Contact: Liv Ramstad, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.543.9012

Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO)

Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio organizes justice seekers statewide to promote education, service and advocacy consistent with Unitarian Universalist liberal religious principles and to witness with and on behalf of marginalized groups and individuals. uujo.org Contact: Dan Schneider,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.561.0849

Carter Fund and Carter Service

This fund is a living memorial to Rev. W.H.G. Carter, the first African-American Unitarian minister in Cincinnati. The fund is replenished each year by a special collection on Martin Luther King weekend. Since 2001 more than $70,000 has been distributed to families and local non-profit agencies.

First Unitarian Church apologized to the Carter family in 2001 for ignoring Rev. W.H.G. Carter and his storefront church which served an urban black Cincinnati neighborhood in 1918-1939. The congregation recalls Carter’s pioneering efforts and his staunch Unitarian principles every year at a special service on Martin Luther King Day weekend. Click here for a history of the Carter reconciliation journey, for both the family and the congregation.Contact: Ann Retford,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., phone 513.793.1075

Cuba Connection

The First Church-Cuba connection is a developing collaboration between First Unitarian Church and groups of Unitarian Universalist sympathizers in Cuba. We have developed this connection through the leadership of Jorge Vila, a First Church member of Cuban heritage.